Murder Island: Secret of Tantalus Walkthrough

Murder Island: Secret of Tantalus – Game Introduction

Welcome to the Murder Island: Secret of Tantalus walkthrough Gamezebo, written by Lynne Basinet. Murder Island: Secret of Tantalus is an interactive adventure hidden object game played on PC, created by Big Finish Games. This walkthrough includes tips and tricks, helpful hints, and a strategy guide for how to complete Murder Island: Secret of Tantalus.

Copyright Information

This walkthrough was created by Lynne Basinet, for Gamezebo.com, and is protected under US and International Copyright laws. Any unauthorized use, including re-publication, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited.

General Information

Main Menu

Options: Adjust the Sound, Music and Voice volume levels and turn Full Screen, Mute and Custom Cursors on and off.

Change Player: Create, Edit or Delete a profile. Each profile can be up to 12 characters, letters and numbers only.

Help: Mouseover the various areas, on each page, for a full description of all items in the game screens.

Credits: View information about the development team.

Game Screens

Menu: Located at the lower left, click to access Resume, Options, Help, Main Menu and Quit. You may also use the Esc key on your keyboard to open and close the Menu.

Hint Button: Located at the lower right, click to receive a clue about your next steps in General Areas. In Search Scenes, a random item from the list will be highlighted. Note that this button must recharge before you can use it again.

Inventory: Located at the bottom, click on an item to use it in the scene. Mouseover each item for a description.

Tile and Game Map Button: Located at the left, just above the Menu, click on it to access the interactive Map, once available, and to see the status of the Tiles you’ve collected. Click on a grey or gold button and then click on the Double Arrow (lower right) to go directly to that location. Note that this button must recharge before you can use it again.

Scroll Button: Located at the right, just above the Hint Button, click on it and then place the Map Pieces you’ve found to reconstruct the Map. Mouseover a Scroll Piece, click on the Blue Circle to rotate it, click and drag it to the Board and then click to place it. You may place them as you go, or wait until you’ve collected them all. Note that you will begin with one piece already placed.

Skip Button: Located at the lower left, during Puzzles/Minigames, click on it, once it’s fully charged to skip the puzzle and proceed.

Cursors

Eye: Click to receive information about a Character, Item or Area, to begin a Puzzle/Minigame or trigger an action. A description will appear at the bottom of the screen, just above the Inventory.

Magnifying Glass: Click to get a closer view, access a Search Scene or begin a Puzzle/Minigame.

Small Arrow: General game Cursor.

Large Arrows: Click to travel in the direction indicated.

Hand: Click to pick up an item.

Interactive Map:

Tile Wheel: Located at the left, the outside Sections will show how many of the current set of 12 Tiles you’ve collected (Blue Sections) and how many are left (Grey Sections). The 8 inside spokes will highlight once you’ve completed a set of 12 Tiles. Click on a completed spoke to read information about the Legend of Tantalus.

Close Button: Located at the lower right, click on it to exit the Interactive Map.

Travel Button: Located at the lower right, just to the left of the Close Button, click on one of the Spots (grey or gold) on the Map and then click on the Travel Button to go directly to that location. Note that this button must recharge before you can use it again.

Gameplay consists of Object Searches, Interactive Tasks, Puzzles/Minigames, collecting Tiles and Map Pieces, locating Inventory Items and navigating to different Areas to progress through the game.

Search Scenes may contain items with Riddles for the object names (such as “Shy Reptile?” for Turtle, “Elephant Treats?” for Peanuts, etc.) and Interactive Items requiring you to combine 2 or more items. In the case of Interactive Items, click on the first element, drag it to the base item and then click to add it. Repeat if there are additional elements. When all elements are added, click to remove it from the scene. The number of additional elements will be shown in parentheses after the description of the item. Note that Search Scene lists are always the same.

There are 96 Tiles to collect; generally, there are 3 in each scene although you may need to return to an area to collect some of them. Each time you collect 12 Tiles, more information about the Legend of Tantalus will be revealed. Just before you enter the last part of the game, you’ll be given an opportunity to go back and collect any Tiles you may have missed. Once you begin the final portion of the game, you won’t be able to collect them.

Gameplay and Guide Tips

This guide assumes you’ve read the General Information, used the in-game Tutorial and/or Help features or otherwise familiarized yourself with the gameplay.

The Hint button recharges in 45 seconds, the Skip Button charges in 60 seconds and the Interactive Map Button recharges in 30 seconds.

The game is somewhat non-linear, although some areas aren’t available until after you complete other tasks. You may complete many areas in any order you choose.

There are a number of items you can click on that only offer information (Eye Icon); these won’t be mentioned in this walkthrough unless they’re necessary for game progression.

During dialogs, click Next (lower right) to progress quickly, Previous (lower left) to repeat information or Skip (upper right) to dismiss the dialogs completely. I don’t recommend you do this as the story is exciting, very well told and adds to your overall gaming experience.

After it’s available, it is assumed you’ll use the Interactive Map to return to areas that are more than one click away. You don’t have to, but this will avoid a lot of clicking if you do use it. Be sure and check the Map to see if there are areas with new tasks, or items you’ve missed.

You’ll return to many areas to complete additional Search Scenes. They will be the exact same location as the first time you visited the area. They won’t be shown a second time in this walkthrough.

If you choose to collect the Tiles, be sure you collect all 3, in each area, before moving on. Trying to find a Tile you’ve missed, later, is extremely difficult. There will always be 3 Tiles in an area, although some appear after you perform an action, or return to the area.

In this walkthrough, Search Scene items will be indicated in green, Inventory Items in blue, Tiles and Map Pieces in pink and Interactive/Active Areas in yellow. Additional/Alternate colors, numbers and/or letters will be used where necessary and for clarification.

Walkthrough

Create your profile, adjust the Options, if you like, and then click Play.

1 – Epilogue

Click on the Search Scene (1). When complete, use the Slingshot on the Vase (2) and then enter the Temple (3).

Find all the items in the list. Inventory Item: Sling Shot

2 – Murder on Tantalus Island

Collect the Envelope, Key, 3 Tiles, 2 Bells and then continue to the Wharf (1).

Collect 3 Tiles, return to the Dock (click back) and then continue to the Walkway to Beach (2 – see previous Dock screenshot).

Collect 3 Tiles and the Fish, use the Fish on the Cat (1) and receive another Bell (2). Return to the Dock (click back) and then continue to the Terrace (3 – see previous Dock screenshot).

Collect 3 Tiles, 4 Bells and the Lyre.

Click on the Search Scene (1 – see previous Terrace screenshot) and find all the Items in the list. Inventory Item: Mirror (“Reflection?”). Scroll/Map Piece: 2 of 30. Interactive Item: Cup of Tea.

Click on the East Terrace Gate (2 – see previous Terrace screenshot), collect 3 Tiles, 1 Bell, return to the previous area (click back) and then click on the North Terrace Gate (3 – see previous Terrace screenshot).

Collect 3 Tiles, return to the Terrace (click back) and then continue to the Terrace Veranda (4 – see previous Terrace screenshot).

Collect 3 Tiles, 2 Bells, click on the Flag (1), use the Key on Door (2) and then enter Your Room.

Use the Bells on the Bell Clock (2 – see previous Your Room screenshot). Each Bell has Symbols on them that represent the numbers 1 through 12. Arrange the Bells so they form the Numbers on the Clock. Click and drag each Bell to a Niche on the Clock and then collect the Note. Return to the East Terrace Gate.

Use the Mirror on the Lock (1), enter the Combination (2 – click above or below each number) and then collect the Key. Return to the Terrace (click back) and then click on the North Terrace Gate (3 – see previous Terrace screenshot).

Use the Key in the Lock (1), click on the Keypad (2) and then enter the 3- Digit Code (3).

There is no clue for the Code, however, since some of the keys look like quite worn (1 and 4), the Code must be a combination of only those keys. Since you need a 3 Digit Code, one of the numbers will be repeated. This means there are only 8 possible Permutations: 1,1,1, 1,1,4, 1,4,1, 1,4,4, 4,1,1, 4,1,4, 4,4,1 and 4,4,4. The correct answer is 4,1,4 and it’s the same, every time you play.

Continue to the Cave Arch (2 – see previous Beach screenshot), collect 3 Tiles and continue to the Ruins (1).

Collect 3 Tiles (Note that the third Tile won’t be available until after you complete either the search scene or the Tile Puzzle), use the Bee Smoker on the Hive (1), collect the Honey (2) and return to the Cave Arch (click back once).

Use the Honey on the Ant Hill (1), collect the Spear, return to the Ruins (2) and click on the Search Scene (3 – see previous Ruins screenshot).

Click on the Tiles (4 – see previous Ruins screenshot) and reconstruct the message. Mouseover a Tile, click on the Blue Circle to rotate it, click and drag it into position and then click to place it. When complete (1), collect the Pliers (2 – revealed when you complete the Tile Puzzle) and then continue to the Plaza Entrance (5 – see previous Ruins screenshot).

Return to the Wharf, click on the Crab (1), use the Pliers on the Trident (2) and return to the Dock.

Use the Pry Bar on the Crate (1), collect the Owl (2) and return to the Terrace Veranda.

Use the Wrench on the Bow (1), return to the Plaza Entrance and continue to the Statue Garden (2 – see previous Plaza Entrance screenshot).

Collect 3 Tiles, use the Lyre on Apollo (1), the Spear on Ares (5), the Trident on Poseidon (2), the Bow on Artemis (4), the Owl on Athena (3) and then return to the Plaza Entrance (click back once) and continue to the Plaza Stairs (3 – see previous Plaza Entrance screenshot; the Gate will now be open).

Return to the Plaza Stairs (click back twice), use the Key on the Door (2 – see previous Plaza Stairs screenshot) and enter Caleb’s Room. Collect 3 Tiles, click on the Pillow, collect the Hammer and then return to the Plaza Steps and click on the Search Scene.

Return to the Plaza and continue to the Ziggurat Steps (2 – see previous Plaza screenshot). Collect 3 Tiles; use the Long Board, Pieces of Wood, Nails and Hammer on the Mast (1 – use them in any order) and then continue to the Ziggurat Top (2).

Collect 3 Tiles, click on the Plant (1), collect the Key (2), use the Polish Remover on the Lock (3) and then use both Keys in the Lock (4).

Click on the left and right sides of both Keys (not on the Key itself) and turn the Symbols so they’re in upright positions. “A” rotates the top 3 buttons, “B” rotates the bottom 3 buttons, “C” rotates the 2 left buttons and “D” rotates the 2 right buttons. The solution is click “A” 3 times, “B” once, “D” once and “C” 3 times.

Return to the North Terrace Gate and click on the Search Area. Find all the Items in the list. Inventory Item: Lighter Fluid. Scroll/Map Piece: 11 of 30. Interactive Item: Go Fly a Kite. Riddle Item: Photo Finish?” (Horse Carving).

Return to the Beach, collect 3 Tiles and click on the Search Area (1).

Return to the Beach Rooms, use the Key on the Door (2 – see previous Beach Rooms screenshot) and then click on the Briefcase (1). The Briefcase requires a 3 Digit Color Code to open it. Click on the Red, Blue and Green buttons to open it (2). Note that after 3 clicks, a number appears. This means that each color has a number assigned to it; there’s a Luggage Tag (3) with the number 7 on it. After a 3 attempts, you can figure out what the value for each number is (click on each color 3 times in a row; Red = 1, Blue = 5 and Green = 10). The solution is any combination of Blue once and Red twice: 5 plus 1 plus 1 = 7. When complete, you’ll receive Handcuffs and a Gun.

Return to the Walkway to Beach, use the Oars on the Boat, collect 3 Tiles and then click on the Search Scene (1).

Continue to the Gondola Generator (2 – see previous Hidden Cove Beach screenshot) and collect the Spark Plug and the Key. Use the Gas Can on the Fuel Filler (1), use the Spark Plug on the Wire (2), use the Key in the Ignition (3), click on the Key, click on the Plug (4), click on the Starter (5) and then continue to the Villa Exterior (6).

Collect 3 Tiles, the Ring and the Handle. Click on the Cat (1), collect the Key and then use the Key on the Far Door (2).

Match the 17 Pairs of Images. Click on one then click on its mate to eliminate them.

Return to Miles’ Apartment, use the Greek Dictionary on the Note (1), collect the Key, use the Key on the Wardrobe (2) and collect the Ring (3).

Return to the Villa Exterior and use the 3 Rings on the Door (3 – see previous Villa Exterior screenshot). Rotate the Rings to the correct positions in order to unlock the Door. The Outer Ring has the Days in Greek, from 1 to 31; the next Ring has the months according to the Zodiac and the Inner Ring has the Years, from 0 to 99. Click on a Ring to advance it to the next setting. The solution is Miles’ ID, with his birthdate, 11 February (Aquarius) 88.

Collect 3 Tiles, the Goblet, Shovel, Eye and Worm. Use the Worm on the Bird (1), use the Goblet on the Water (2), use the Shovel on the Dirt (3), use the Handle on the Well (4) and then collect the 4 Golden Apples (a, b, c and d) and the Shield. Note that when you try to collect the Apple, you’ll collect the Shield, first. Click again to collect the Apple.

Use the Float Key (2 – see previous Siriakus’ Yacht screenshot) and use the Postcard on the Open Compartment. Set the 3 Dials to open the Safe. Set each Dial (1) according to the position of the arms on the 3 Sirens, in the Picture on the Postcard (2), and receive a Security Passcard (3).

Return to the Terrace and click on the Search Scene. Find all the Items in the list. Inventory Item: Zeus Book. Scroll/Map Piece: 23 of 30. Interactive Item: Place Setting. Riddle Item: “Shades?” (Sunglasses).

Return to the Villa Library and use the Zeus Book on the Bookshelves (2 – see previous Villa Library screenshot). Arrange the objects on the bottom in their appropriate compartments under Greek or Roman elements. Click and drag each object to a Niche. Note that the order of the books isn’t important.

Return to the Statue Garden and continue to the Hydra Arch (1). Collect 3 Tiles and the Stick.

Return to the Ruins and click on the Search Scene. Find all the Items in the list. Inventory Item: String. Scroll/Map Piece: 27 of 30. Interactive Item: Painting. Riddle Item: “Almost Two?” (Clock).

Return to the Hydra Arch and use the Stick, String and Toy Mouse on the Crate (2 – see previous Hydra Arch screenshot). Continue to the Bath House (3 – see previous Hydra Arch screenshot) and collect 3 Tiles.

Return to the Plaza Pool and click on the Search Scene. Find all the Items in the list. Inventory Item: Goblet. Scroll/Map Piece: 28 of 30. Interactive Item: Inflated Float.

Return to the Bath House, use the Stone Goblet on Dionysus (1 – see previous Bath House screenshot), use the Shell on Aphrodite (2 – see previous Bath House screenshot) and then enter the Path to Hydra Building (3 – see previous Bath House screenshot). Collect 3 Tiles and enter the Hydra Building.

Collect the Electrical Tape, the Valve and the Scissors. Use the Scissors on the Electrical Cable (1) and collect the Electrical Cable. Use the Electrical Cable and Electrical Tape on the Reciprocating Saw (2) and collect the Reciprocating Saw. Use the Valve on the Water Wheel (3), click on it and then click on the Electrical Box (4).

Move the Controls (1) so they’re located at their Numbered Positions (2). Click and drag each Control to a new position, using the 2 spaces, at the lower left, to move Controls out of the way. The quickest solution is:

move d to g

move j to f

move k to e

move l to d

move g to l

move d to g

move c to k

move b to j

move a to h

move g to a

move e to b

move f to c

Click on the following for the video solution

Use the Reciprocating Saw on the Bars (1) and then exit the Hydra Building (2).

Return to Siriakus’ Yacht, click on the Brochure (1) and note the information (2).

Return to the Security Room, collect 3 Tiles, use the Dial Knob on the Dial (1) and use the Key in the Lock (2). Click on the Calendar (3) and click on the Sticky Note (4). You now have all the information you need to power up the Satellite Phone.

Click on each Dial, move the indicators to the proper Setting (1, 2 and 3) and then click on the Mic (4).

If you’ve been collecting the Tiles, you should have all 96, now. Click on the Interactive Map (1) and then click on each of the Spokes (2) to read about the Legend of Tantalus and other Greek Legends. Note that once the game is over, you won’t be able to access it. If you click Play, with your same profile, the game will begin again.

Return to the Security Room, use the CD in the Player (1), click on Kyra (2) and then collect the final Scroll/Map Piece.

If you’ve been placing the pieces of the Map, as you collected them, you’ll only have a few more to do now. You must complete the Map, now, in order to progress. Mouseover a Map Piece, click on the Blue Circle to rotate it, click and drag into position and then click to place it.

Return to the Path to Hydra Building and click on the Controls (in the column, at the lower left). You need to move the Blue Valve to the opposite side to shut off the Waterfall. Click on each piece to slide it to an open spot. You may need to click on a block more than once to get it to go in the direction desired. The shortest solution is a little over 30 steps. Note that in the following screenshots, some compound moves have been combined and only 24 images are shown.

Click on the following for the video solution

3 – Finale

Caution: If you haven’t found all the Tiles, this is your last chance to do so. Once you continue, you won’t be able to return to any other part of the game.